Is fortran 90 or matlab better for simulating non-linear dynamics (Chaos)?

[great_sushi]

I am going to be simulating damped driven oscillators for my project and I was wondering if someone could give me a definitive answer on the matter. I know MATLAB is more of a 'tool' than a language so I'm thinking the maths behind damped driven oscillators might be easier to implement into fortran 90.
If someone could give me a few pros and cons for the two and maybe more specifically to the simulations involved with damped driven oscillators that would be great.

Thank you!

 

[jfgobin]

Good Afternoon Great_Sushi,

Actually, both are applicable. It really boils down to what process you want.

Matlab has a powerful scripting language, is matrix oriented and has a ton of solvers and operators.

Fortran is a programming language, it probably has libraries to do operations on matrix, solvers and operators. Do these work with each other? Good question.

A third option would be Python with scipy and numpy: it's python with matlab-like extensions. If you add matplotlib, you have a complete solution for the processing AND graphing.

J.

 

[jedishrfu]

Another option would be Java and the Open Source Physics library:

www.compadre.org/osp

and for Duffing Chaos model as an example:

http://www.opensourcephysics.org/items/detail.cfm?ID=7860

 

[great_sushi]

OK thanks alot! I've decided to go for matlab... first day back of semester 2 and we're doing non-linear dynamics using matlab. I have a whole semester dedicated to my project, certainly panned out well hehe.

As for damped driven oscillators, can you recommend any good books on the subject of non-linear dynamics?

 

[alphy]

I can provide some insights on the use of Fortran 90 and MATLAB for simulating non-linear dynamics, specifically in the context of damped driven oscillators. Both Fortran 90 and MATLAB have their own strengths and limitations, so the choice ultimately depends on your specific project requirements and personal preferences.

Fortran 90 is a high-level, compiled language that is well-suited for scientific computing and numerical simulations. It has a long history in the scientific community and is known for its efficiency and speed. Fortran 90 also has built-in support for complex numbers and arrays, which are important for simulating non-linear dynamics. Additionally, it allows for low-level control over memory management, making it easier to implement complex mathematical algorithms. However, Fortran 90 may have a steeper learning curve compared to MATLAB, and its syntax may be more complex and less intuitive.

On the other hand, MATLAB is a high-level, interpreted language that is widely used in scientific and engineering applications. It has a user-friendly interface and a large library of built-in functions and toolboxes for various mathematical and scientific computations. MATLAB also has a powerful graphical user interface (GUI) that allows for easy visualization of data and results. However, it may not be as efficient as Fortran 90 in terms of speed and memory usage, and it may require additional toolboxes or programming skills for more complex simulations.

In terms of simulating damped driven oscillators, both Fortran 90 and MATLAB can handle the necessary mathematical calculations. However, Fortran 90 may be more suitable for large-scale simulations or simulations with complex mathematical models, while MATLAB may be more convenient for smaller scale simulations and quick prototyping. It is also worth noting that MATLAB has a built-in function for solving differential equations, which may be useful for simulating damped driven oscillators.

In conclusion, there is no definitive answer on whether Fortran 90 or MATLAB is better for simulating non-linear dynamics. Both languages have their own advantages and it ultimately depends on your specific project requirements and personal preferences. I suggest exploring both options and choosing the one that best fits your needs.